This Week in Leichhardt

Leichhardt backs the learners at Callan Park

Last week we told you about learner drivers being warned off Callan Park's quiet roads, with a fine flagged once the grace period ends, so we asked where you landed. And woah... of the 90 who voted, the answer was lopsided: the clear majority want L-platers left to practise there. Plenty wrote in with the case for it, from safe car-park practice to a few sharp words for the drivers they reckon are the real hazard. What we'd still like to know is the thinking behind the rule, so if you understand the rationale, or you're across the law here, we'd be glad to hear it. The comments run in full in Letters, below.

Big builds are marching down Parramatta Rd

Sydney keeps growing, and the tired old Parramatta Rd strip is finally growing with it. On Mon the NSW government put out plans for 340 apartments on the disused WestConnex dive site over at Haberfield. It's one of several jobs heading down the corridor. A 12-storey block with 128 homes has just been approved at 307-315 Parramatta Rd, on our stretch in Leichhardt. Last year's Annandale dive site and surrounds has proposals in for tall blocks, too. It's a lot of movement for one road that sorely needs a facelift, but not everyone's cheering. At a full-house community meeting this week, plenty of locals backed more housing along the corridor, but some asked whether their feedback will change much given the state's fast-track planning rules leave councils with limited say. With any luck the whole strip ends up a nicer place to be for it, and it's a story The Hardt will keep an eye on. Thanks to local Ian for keeping us posted. (Source: Council Watch FB Group, Kobi Shetty FB Page)

Emily St terrace in the news

The auction for 21 Emily St made the Sydney property papers. More than 50 people spilled onto the footpath, 18 groups registered, and six actually lifted their paddles for an unrenovated three-bedder that's been in the one family as an investment for over 40 years. It sold for $1,855,000, and the new owners reckon they'll do it up. Say what you like about the market - Sydney people still love a good auction.

Spring Fete this Sunday

We've been spoiled for Spring Fetes, with St Fiacre's Festa a few weekends back, and now this Sunday at LPS. Head down and support the local school from 10am to 3pm, with free entry via Norton Street. Expect rides, face painting and performances from the school band and choir, food stalls, cakes, handmade crafts, jams, clothes and more.

Council Watch

DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS

Address	Description	DA Number
99 Norton St	Change liquor licence condition by licensee on premises	-
44 Flood St	Alterations and additions to an existing semi-detached dwelling	DA/2026/0716

Real Estate

JUST SOLD

Address	Price	Beds	Baths	Garages
50 Allen St	-	3	1	-
21 Emily St	-	3	2	1
2 North Ave	-	2	1	1
5 Excelsior St	$1.45M	2	1	1

Letters to the Hardt

What you said about learners in Callan Park

1. "It's a safe place for learners as long as they are supervised!!!"

2. "According to signage of speed limits."

3. "All our children have learnt to drive a car there. It’s perfect conditions to get used to a car before they head out on the road."

4. "It is a great place for them to learn. Maybe just fine people who are driving too fast, which presents a greater danger than nervous L platers driving at 10km an hour!"

5. "Why would you be so mean as to ban them? Selfish!!"

6. "It's a safe place to start learning to drive, and there haven't been any incidents that I know of. It's not broke, it doesn't need fixing!"

7. "They need somewhere without a lot of traffic to learn."

8. "If there was a ban, maybe during peak demand hours, such as weekend mornings and evenings?"

9. "Taught my kids in there, amazing space for learning car control."

10. "For the nervous learners, it's a great starting point."

11. "Let the L platers learn there with limits and conditions."

12. "Not near the waterfront where many walkers use the road near the oval."

13. "It’s hard enough learning to drive — let's give them some compassion."

14. "I think we ought to have some compassion for learner drivers (and their teachers). Our roads are busy and congested and not good for the early learning stages."

15. "No problem as long as they are well supported, it helps them learn!"

16. "Why ban L platers when most of them are driving slowly and carefully in an unpressured area? I think the soccer parents should be banned. Tearing down the roads as they're running late for their kids' games."

What's On

ALL WEEKEND

LilyfieldCulture History Week 2026: Exhibition - Callan Park People - Keeping Their Stories - Callan Park. Visit the self-guided outdoor exhibition at Callan Park that shares stories of patients and staff connected to the site. 9:00am - 5:00pm. Free Entry.

FRIDAY 11 SEP

StanmoreKids Storytime at Stanmore Library - Stanmore Library. Join a storytime session at Stanmore Library, a great way for kids to enjoy stories together. 10:30am - 11:00am. Free Entry.

Inner WestCulture The Art of Becoming, Together (opening night) - Chrissie Cotter Gallery. Opening night for 'The Art of Becoming, Together' at Chrissie Cotter Gallery. . Free Entry.

CamperdownMusic Tilly Street - Church Street Studios. Catch Tilly Street’s final Sydney performance featuring original music and selected jazz works as part of the All At Sea tour. 8:00pm - 10:00pm. Tickets $30.

SydneyMusic SWERVEDRIVER - Manning Bar. Swervedriver perform live with Chimers and Brown Spirits for a rock’n’roll night at the venue.

LeichhardtSport NRLW: Tigers v Raiders - Leichhardt Oval. Watch the NRLW rugby league match between the Tigers and Raiders at Leichhardt Oval. 5:40pm.

LeichhardtSport NRLW: Wests Tigers v Raiders - Leichhardt Oval. Watch the NRLW rugby league match between Wests Tigers and Raiders at Leichhardt Oval. 5:40pm.

SATURDAY 12 SEP

LeichhardtKids Kids Proms: It's Party Time! Kids Proms features Inner West Community Bands performing a fun musical adventure for children. 9:30am - 12:00pm. Free Entry.

SydneyMusic INFINITY SONG - Manning Bar. Infinity Song’s scheduled Manning Bar show has been rescheduled due to a scheduling conflict.

LeichhardtSport Sydney Zodiacs Come and Try Day - Different Strokes HQ, 91 Canal Road, Lilyfield. Youth dragonboat open day (10–24) to come and try, with games/socials and snacks after. . Free Entry.

SUNDAY 13 SEP

Inner WestSport AFLW Sydney Derby: Sydney Swans v GWS Giants - Henson Park. AFLW Sydney Derby at Henson Park with Kids U14 free and $15 for others.

LeichhardtMusic The Suburban Skulk - Front Bar @ Crowbar. Catch Face the Martyr and Flannel Flower live at The Suburban Skulk at the Front Bar for free. 7:00pm. Free Entry.

PetershamMusic Sundaze - Petersham Town Hall. A monthly all-ages live music showcase featuring local bands and an optional jam for young musicians. 1:00pm.

LeichhardtCommunity Leichhardt Public School Spring Fete (P&C Spring Fete) — Silent Auction - Norton St (entry via Norton St). Free-entry spring fete fundraiser with a silent auction where residents can bid online. . Free Entry.

THURSDAY 17 SEP

LeichhardtCommunity Justice of the Peace at Leichhardt Library - Leichhardt Library. Get documents witnessed by a Justice of the Peace at Leichhardt Library. . Free Entry.

CamperdownCommunity Organic Buyers Group Hub: Camperdown - Pocket City Farms. Join the weekly Organic Buyers Group to buy, share and save on organic products. 5:15pm - 6:00pm.

FRIDAY 18 SEP

GlebeMusic Rahil Duo – Maqam, Classical, Syrian - Local Edition. Rahil Duo will perform Maqam, classical and Syrian music live at Local Edition.

PetershamMusic Anovaty - Gifts of Mercy Emporium. A live music gig featuring Anovaty and supporting bands at Gifts of Mercy Emporium. 6:30pm.

SATURDAY 19 SEP

LeichhardtMusic Saturday Live Sunsets — Paul Sun Trio - Leichhardt Bowling & Recreation Club. Enjoy live music by the Paul Sun Trio at the Bowlo, with drink specials from LilyFields Gin Bar. 3:00pm - 5:00pm. Free Entry.

PetershamMusic Monoeater - Gifts of Mercy Emporium. Monoeater performs live with Thorne Zytkow, Rapacity and Six Month Search Party at Gifts of Mercy Emporium. 7:00pm.

Sincerely,

The Hardt

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